Subject: Official Sponsor of the 50th Anniversary of the Tall Ships Race


From July 20 to 23, Lisbon hosted the world’s largest Tall Ships event. The regatta attracted about 3,000 sailors from around the world and approximately 80 sailing ships from over 20 countries. The race featured 12 large sailing ships such as Sagres, the Portuguese Naval School Ship, and about 70 medium and small vessels to commemorate the 50th year of the Tall Ships Race in Portuguese waters. In the wake of other large events held in Portugal in recent years, the national and international importance of this major nautical event – unique in the world – was not overlooked by SOMAGUE, its Official Sponsor. The Organisational Committee – consisting of the Lisbon Municipal Council, the Ministry for Defence, State Secretariat for Youth and Sports, the Lisbon Port Administration, the Lisbon Tourism Association and the Portuguese Sail Training Association – clearly reveals Portugal’s institutional participation and commitment, which has given Lisbon the privilege of hosting one of the most spectacular shows worldwide. Hosting the Tall Ships Race to commemorate its fiftieth anniversary in Portuguese waters, repeating the regatta route of 1956, was an honour for the city, the country, and for its nautical tradition and history. The race pays homage to Portugal’s contribution and to the spirit that originated this event: international friendship – more than reason enough for SOMAGUE to support it as the Official Sponsor.